Switch



Feb. l25', '1947'. M L, JEFFREY 2,416,626

swITcH Filed April 24, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. "MAX L.ff'FF/E'fy A from/,Sys

Feb. 25, l1947.

M. L. JEFFREY SWITCH iled Agrl 24, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 nga INVENTOR.MAX JEFF/PEV Feb. 25, '1947.

M. L. JEFFREY y SWITCH Filed April 24, 1943 INVENTOR. /VAX 'L JEFFREY,BYH wam,

A TTQPIVEYS Patented Feb. 25, 1947 UNITED STATESl PATENT vor-'riccSWITCH Max Leroy Jeffrey, Shaker Heights, Ohio, as-V signor to TheNational Acme Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of OhioApplication April 24,' 1943,"serial No. 484,376A

(c1. "i4-10c) 6 Claims.

has been encountered in designing a, switch hav-` ing a suitable snapaction which will provide consistent reliable operation over longperiods of time, carry relatively heavy currents and stillbe smallenough in structure so as to utilize a minimum of space. Furthermore,these switches were not always adaptable to a large number of jobs..

each usually being designed for a specic installation.

It, is therefore an object of this invention to provide a snap actionswitch which takes up a minimum of space and has a large current carry-ling capacity.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of snapaction switch which is simple in design and rugged in construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch assembly wherethe actual switch mechanism may be operated by pushing a button or byturning a button and wherein the buttons are interchangeable to providepush or turn button operation at any of the stations.

. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved safetyswitchwhere there is no opportunity for an electric shock tothe operator.

Another object Vof the invention is `to provide a snap action switchwhere no partially open or closed positions are possible.

Still other objects of the invention and the invention itself willbecome more apparent from the following description of an embodimentthereof `which description is illustrated by the accompanying drawingsand forms a part of this specification.

In certain aspects the invention is an improvement of my Patent No.2,294,559 of September l.

Y'- In the drawings: 'Y Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a panel orescutcheon plate in which the switch of my invention is incorporated;

Fig. 211s a side elevational view of the panel of Fig. 1 with certainparts broken away and shown in sections and showing in side elevationthe switches mounted on the back of the panel;

Fig. 3 is a rear view in elevation of the panel of the switch of Fig, 1with two of the switches removed and showing a rear view of two types ofthe operating buttons;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of one of the turn-type of button usedin connection with the switch of my invention; s

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the button of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of one of the switch assemblies removedfrom the supporting panel and illustrating the side which is attached tothe rear 4face of the panel;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View of one of the switch assemblies with thebottom cover plate removed and showing the snap action "mechanism:

Fig. 8 isa top plan view of the switch mechanis'mwith the cover plateremoved and showing the contactor mechanism;

y Fig. 9 is a vertical'medial section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the lines of Fig. 8 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a side `view of a switch arm contact guide;

Fig. l2 is an end view of the contact carrying arm and rocker and their'supporting shaft removed from the assembly;

Fig. 12a is a side elevational View thereof, and

Fig. 13 is a view of one of the contact carrying strips and contacts.

Throughout the drawings likeparts have been designated by like referencecharacters;

Generally speaking the apparatus adapts itself very efliciently toinstallations where switches are desired for starting, stopping orjogging a machine. In this case one switch assembly adapts itself forall three of the services mentioned. By substituting different buttonsin the switch panel the switchcan be made to operate as a push buttonswitch where you push to close the contacts ora push to open thecontacts, operation being such that when the finger is removed from thebutton the switch returns to its former position; or a turn-type buttonsuch as shown in the jogrun position may be used which enables theswitch contacts to remain in an opened or closed position depending onthe direction and position to which the button'is turned. In any event,the same switch mechanism suffices for all operations.

Although a particular type of supporting panel or escutcheon plate isshown in the drawings, it will be observed that the number of stationsis merely a matter of choice and they may be increased or decreased innumber to suit the par-v ticular yconditions where control is desired.

In Fig. ,1, by way of illustration, I have shown a panel orescutcheonplat'e I 0 having edge open-f v aangezet.

the partition both being iockedftoth'pinfand adapted to yswing inunison. 'l

-thuszbe seen that whenthe..piri'2l is .pressed `The Amechanism foroperatingl the rocker arm' 58 will rst be describedit being in manyrespects similar to that offmy-aforementionedpatent. The purpose is toprovideimeans-'for-quiclrlyy rocking the shaft 51,' and through vitvthecontact carrying arm. rocker 58 isprovided with a pair of arms` 6Gthat extend laterally from the main body and a' flat roller engagingface 6| as best yshown 'inFig'fL Thek rocker is rotated by a springtpressed roller in the end of a leverywhich roller bears against the face6|, The rocker 'is held agains'trojcking' byV pawls 62 until released bythe leverfvr The pawls 62 arepivota-lly supportedvon` pinsi'lifatlpoints opposite the ends of the rocker, `the pins 63 being carriedr bythe partition The ends- 60 of the rocker are provided with sharp edges64 which are adaptedto'engage with shouldersy 65 on the pawls. The pawlsare heldA spring-pressed towards the rocker Yby springs'ES interposedbetween the pawls andthe partition and seated on pins on the partitionVand in recesses in the sides of the pawls.

The member for rocking the rocker comprises a lever El which is providedwith ya bifurcated end 68 that -is slidably engaged with a ycircularboss 69 connected to the end of the housing by a neck 10. The'spacebetween the bifurcated ends provides for a close but sliding t with thecircular boss 69. In the base of the lever there is provided a bore 12which opens into the apex of the bifur cated portion and in which thereis disposed a helical springs '13, one Yend of which seats against theVend of the bore 'l2 and the other end of which engages the boss 69. Theother end of the lever is provided with a roller 'I4 journalled on a pin15 that is seated in a U-shaped slot 16 extending transversely acrossthe end of the lever.

It will thus be seen that the spring 13 holds the lever with the rollerin spring-pressed engagement with the face 6| of the rocker.v Means,later described, isprovidedfor moving theV lever 61 about its fulcrum6%. AIn this instance, looking at Fig. 7, the` lever 6l swings about thepivot 69 moving the roller 14 under pressure of the spring 13 across theface 6| of the rocker arm. When it passes the pivot point 51 oftherocker arm the spring `pressure tends to .rotate the rocker clockwise asviewed in theigure but such rota tionis prevented because the sharpedgelflis engaged against theY shoulder 65 of the pawl This allows acertain .amount of kinetic energy to be built up which is released whenthe Yside of the lever 61 hits the boss 16 on the end of the pawl 62 andreleases the rocker which. is'then quickly rotated by the pressure ofthe spring .73. This movement lis transferred by the pin151 to thecontact carrying `arm 591 During the-swinging movement the lever 61 canslide on its fulcrurn 69.

The lever 61 is moved by the plunger cr operating pin 2|. This pin ascan best be seen in Figs. 7 and 10 is journalled in a pair of bosses 80disposed in the side walls. One end of the pin is provided with a bore 8I, in which a helical spring 82 is disposed, being engaged with the sidewall 50 which closes the ends of the bore, and the other end beingseated in the bottom of the bore 8|. This tends to urge the plunger 2|outward through the opposite side wall. The plunger is provided with asquare notch 84, in its mid portion that opens toward the lever 61. Apin 85 is plvotally carried by the lever 6l and has a square head 86that is seated in the notch 84. It will In effecting this y movement theinward that the wallsof thenotch84 engage the head 86 and through thep'inrocks the lever counterclockwise; and .thatwhen the pin is releasedthe spring 82 returns. the plngervandthe lever `back to its originalposition..` j

As best shown in Fig. 9 the contact lever; which which `is pivotallysupported by the pin 51 extendsupwardtherefrom between pairsof fixedcontacts 88 which are'connected tothe termin-als 28 and-21. The endlofthe arm;Figs;`12-13`, care ries pairs ofc'ontact strips or :bars 9|)leach of which has contacts 9| for making an electrical connectionbetween the contacts 8B; It will -be ,understood at this time that asviewed in Fig. 48

only one of the fixedcontacts'of each pair 'cariA be seenbut that theother contact is immediately behind and'spa'ced therefrom.- The contacts88 are secured in place in the end of v:the-housing Y by a block 89which clamps the strips that carry the'contact bodies against theend ofthe housing,

a screw 89 extending through the housing and being threadedninto-th'eblock,'as best illustrated in Fig. 9J These contacts-being adapted tolbe engaged by the contactsl on each ofthe bars 901 As best shown inFigs. 8.9 and 13 the contacts 9| are carried by a bar 90. This bar isprovided with notches at 92 'for-engagement with a contact retainerguide 93.' The Vcontact retainer guide 93, Fig. 11,lcomprises a-squareloop 95the portions' 95a and `95h of which provideguides' for thecontact.bar and Ithe end 95C `of which limits the 'outwardmovementcontacts. "It is riveted to the lever ated' and the end^`95b extendsthrough a notch in the end of the lever. The contact bars are thusmovably supported on opposite sides of the'end of the'contact arm. The'contact arm is provided with a pair of openings 88 at theklendthroughnwhich helical springs 99 extend-the ends' of the springs beingengaged on pins on the backs of the bars, toV thus hold each'of the barsspringe 'pressed toward the' sides 95e of the retainer loop 93."Ihe'endr ofV the' lever moves in an arcuate direction between the fixedcontactsgthere'fore, when thel springs are compressed due to the,movable contacts' being engaged with'` the Yfixed contacts it causes'themovable contacts to rst engage the fixed contacts off centerand then asthe movable contactba'r slides on the straightv guide the movablecontacts slide oriy the iixed contacts toward the center and finallycome to rest in axial alignment with eachother. j In this manner themovable contacts engagethefixed contacts both on the' make'and breakwith 'a wiping action which assistsmaterially injkeeping the contactsclean and thus lengthensthe life.A

VvItwill thus be seen `that I improved'snap action mechanism whichis'very simple in its' operation. Furthermore, I have providedva'simpleand yet rugged construction in a relatively small mechanismwhich allows the switch toV carry .currents exceedingly large for such asmall mechanism. Furthermore, itwill be seen that due to the doublechamber construction wherein the side having the contacts is isolatedfrom the other mechanism that there is less danger from sparking due tothe break of the contacts when the device is disposed in an explosiveatmosphere, and no danger to the operator from the flash back.

It will also be seen that I have provided a push button control that isexceedingly versatile inashave provided anl switcnby merely substimtmgacam-type button and pin for thesimplebutton; I

Having thus describe'drmy invention I amA ait-fare that numerous andVextensive: 'depart-,tires` may be made therefrom Without.depa-rtingifrom. the'spirit or scope of the invention` asl'elaimedlherein..

@I claimtY I 1 y f A snap mechanism for' a switch or the' likev erroneobetweeny the?L lever 'andthev pivot @urging the lever toward. therocker.

4; Arsnap action mechanism including vahous'-,V

ing, arocker member, pawls for.V alternate enf; gagemenftA` with theends Vof 'the rocker member,

means to rockthe rocker member, comprising a,

v lever swingably disposed opposite vthe rocker comprising a suppornarocker, pivot meanscar; Y

rijed bythe-support tor-.supporting the rocker :on

f said supportizmeans for; rocking Ithe rocker including a lever, arollerV carriedL bythe lever and engaging. the rocker, said yleverhaving 4one/end formed with a fork. having; spacedf parallel side.walls,I a pivot for the lever/carried'by the support and havingcurvedsurfaces, said forked por,

Mtion ofljthe' lever beingvdisposed -on said. lever.` l pivotandwiththesides ,of-the forkirrtafngentiai Vengagement with thepivot,.spring means v disposed betvveenfthe lever andthe Apivoturgiingpthe member and having. aroller in. engagement there- 4 with,pivot means `for said lever comprising al boss carried by thehousingsaid lever being formed.

' with asocket and seated on saidL boss andspring levertowarol therocker, saidv lever being slidable f H -on said pivot, meansforlstv-inging.saidj` lever cornprising a plunger., reciprocablycarriedy by the sufpport, and a cross head carried. by saidlever,. saidplunger being formed with. avvavior receiving said cross head and springmeans for urging .said

plunger in a direction to` move said levert 2. A. snap mechanism for aswitch. or the like comprising a support, a rocker, pivot means carriedby the support for supporting the'rocker on saidsupport, means forrocking the rocker including alever, a roller carriedV by theV leverandy in engagement .with the rocker, said lever having. one. end formed.with asocketl comprising spaced parallel side Walls, apivot for thelever carried by the suppOrt and'. having. a. cylindrical surface,saidsocket portion ofthe lever being disposed on rsaid pivot and withthe sides of the socket in tangential engagement with the pivot,said'vlever being formed with. anaxial; bore opening, toward the vpivotandv spring: meansl seated insaid bore and in.. engagement vwith thepivotY urgingY the. lever toward the rocker, said lever being sl'idableon said pivotr means .for swinging said levery cor-nprising a plungerreciprocably carriedbythe support and aV cross head carriedv bysaidlever, said plunger being formedwithaway forV receiving said crosshead 'and spring. meanslfor urging. said plunger ina direction. to movesaid` lever.. p

3`. A ysnap mechanism forr aswitch or therlike comprising a. support, arocker., pivot means care ried by the support for supporting the .rockeron said support, means for Vrocking the'rocker in.-

Y cluding a lever, arollerlcarriedA by thelever and engagingv therocker, said lever having .one end formed. Witha,y fork h-avingspaced.parallel. side Walls, a pivot for the lever carried by the support ofthe lever being.Y disposed .on said lever. pivot andwith the sidesof.thefork in tangential enmeans acting. between, the lever and; thebossto holdlfthe lever with. the roller in engagement with the rockermember, Y

51.I A svv-itchl of the Aclass;describedincluding a contact.carryinglarm and a; rocker for, moving said armV connected thereto,means for,mov-ing.v

said. rocker including a lever operatively disposed' in engagementtherewith-,'pivot Vmeans for said lever including a boss, a forked endfor said lever,

Said boss having` curved( sidesfor tangentialbear-l, ing engagementWiththeA inner sides ofsaid forked end, said lever being slidabl'e onsaid. boss and spring means disposed between the boss and the lever,urging the lever toward thegrocker.' .j

6j.. A housing'having a partition therethrough dividing the housing intochambers, switch means disposed in one ofA said chamberszand includingaswingable contact carrying member, means for pivotally supporting. andoperating saidrcontact carrying member extending through said partir-,i

tion into the other chamber, means for rotating said carrying memberdisposed in (the other chamber and including a rocker disposed on theoperating` member, lever means for operating said rocker comprising aswingable lever having end vengagement with the rocker and movableoverthe rocker surface to rock thesame, spring means andy having rcurved.surfaces, said forked' portion gagement with the pivot, springmeansdisposed o ^v1,446,267'

for holding said lever in contact with the rocker,l and means foroperating said lever including a plunger vslidably carried inV said.partition 'and having at leastv .one end. extending beyond the continesof the housing andl means on. said leverl connecting. said lever to.saidplunger.

Y Y REFERENCES dCITED i v v The following. referencesareoi record/in thelle of this patent: f

' Bentley k yAug.. 28,k

